RINGWOOD STATE PARK AND SKYLANDS MANOR TO HOST ANNUAL
HOLIDAY EVENTS THE FIRST TWO WEEKENDS OF DECEMBER
VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS, OPEN HOUSE AND CANDLELIGHT TOURS HIGHLIGHT
HOLIDAY SEASON FOR VISITORS OF ALL AGES
(15/111) TRENTON – Christmas in the Victorian and modern eras will be celebrated during the first two weekends in December with seasonal events scheduled at Ringwood Manor and Skylands Manor, both located in scenic Ringwood State Park in northern Passaic County, the State Park Service announced today.
Ringwood Manor will celebrate its 40th Annual Victorian Christmas during both weekends, while Skylands Manor will host a Holiday Open House for individuals and groups, as well as for wine and candlelight tours. This year’s 27th Annual Holiday Open House theme pays homage to “A 1920s Holiday at Skylands Manor.”
 “Visitors to these spectacular venues in northern New Jersey will find a special, traditional holiday atmosphere that is ideal for celebrating the season,” said Mark Texel, Acting Director of the Division of Parks and Forestry.
“These locations will not only showcase the beauty of Christmas, but also recall the history of the holidays during the Victorian era as well as more modern times. We invite everyone to usher in the season with visits to these stunning homes.”
Ringwood Manor, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a magnificent 19th century house that was home to well-known American ironmasters in the 19th and 20th centuries. Situated on a low hill overlooking a bucolic landscape, the house is especially well-suited for visits during the winter holiday season.
Skylands Manor is a 44-room mansion built in the 1920s to mimic the English Jacobean architecture common in the English countryside 400 years ago. It is located in the 96-acre New Jersey Botanical Gardens, which is part of Ringwood State Park.
“The Victorian Christmas event has become an annual tradition for families to come together and tour the beautifully decorated Ringwood Manor, putting everyone in the holiday spirit,” said Sue Shutte, Historian for Ringwood State Park. “Victorian Christmas whisks visitors back in time to experience the warmth and beauty of the holiday season here at historic Ringwood Manor.”
“The New Jersey State Botanical Garden is delighted to feature 'A 1920s Holiday at Skylands Manor' for day and evening tours this holiday season,” said Maja Britton, spokeswoman for the New Jersey Botanical Gardens/Skylands Association, which is sponsoring these events. “We can promise all who visit beautiful glitter and greenery, and a glimpse of the sparkling Jazz Age parties held at the Manor in its heyday.”
The decorating theme at Skylands Manor changes annually to have a very different look. Individual rooms are decorated by volunteers from northern New Jersey garden clubs, Master Gardener programs and local companies, as well as New Jersey Botanical Gardens members.
Visitors may take a leisurely stroll of the Manor with wine, light refreshments and valet parking. Events are by reservation and subject to availability. The dates and times for the upcoming seasonal events are:
40th Annual Victorian Christmas, Ringwood Manor, Ringwood State Park
December 5, 6, 12, 13
11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Fee: $8 for adults; $6 for seniors; $3 for children ages 6-12
(973) 962-2240
Sponsor: Woman’s Club of West Milford & the North Jersey Highlands Historical Society
www.ringwoodmanor.org
Holiday Open House, Skylands Manor, Ringwood State Park
December 3, 4, 5, 6
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Fee: $10 for adults; $8 for seniors; $5 for children ages 6-12; free for children under 6. Baby strollers not permitted.
(973) 962-9534
Sponsor: New Jersey Botanical Gardens/Skylands Association
http://www.njbg.org/
Evening Receptions, Skylands Manor, Ringwood State Park
December 4 and 5
6-8 p.m.
Sponsor: New Jersey Botanical Gardens/Skylands Association
http://www.njbg.org/tickets-hoh.shtml
(973) 962-9534
For more information about these parks and organizations, please visit:
MEDIA: FOR PHOTOS OF PREVIOUS EVENTS, PLEASE VISIT:
www.nj.gov/dep/newsrel/2014/ringwood-photos.html
www.nj.gov/dep/newsrel/2014/skylands-photos.html
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